The R4 project was initiated in late 2003 following DJM’s build of Colin McRae’s dream Escort MkII. Using a Ford Ka passenger shell gave the design a base, and DJM then worked with Tom Webster & Keith Burden of Codemasters (responsible for McRae’s computer game) to design a CGI of the R4 from sketches. By spring 2006 the prototype was ‘in build’ and McRae was asked by the Goodwood Festival of Speed organisers to display it. This gave DJM two months to finish the prototype, which then didn’t even have a body! After many late nights the team made it to the Festival with the R4 as modelled here and received universal acclaim.